Since becoming the head coach at North Carolina following the 2011 season, Larry Fedora has made it a priority to recruit the state of North Carolina. After successfully landing some of the state’s most heralded prospects such as T.J. Logan in 2013 and Elijah Hood for this upcoming season, the third-year Tar Heel coach is hoping to reel in even greater in-state talent in future classes.
Jimmie Taylor of Jacksonville, N.C., happens to be one of those prospects. As a 2016 defensive end with a 6-3, 220-pound frame, Taylor enters his third season playing on the varsity squad at Southwest Onslow High School this fall. According to Scout.com, the D-lineman has been offered by three ACC schools in UNC, Duke and N.C. State while also holding an SEC offer from Tennessee.
The Heels have had good luck in the past recruiting players out of Southwest Onslow, most recently with Kendric Burney. As a four-year starter at the college level from 2007-10, Burney played cornerback under Butch Davis and totaled 209 tackles and 11 interceptions throughout his career in Chapel Hill.
At the moment, North Carolina has two commitments in its 2016 class.